Sewage in a tub or shower, toilets that gurgle when the sink drains, or water at a floor drain means the main is blocked. Stop running water and avoid flushing. We clear it from the cleanout and can run a camera to check for roots or a broken pipe.
Signs you need main sewer line clog
- Several drains slow at the same time
- Sewage or dirty water in the lowest tub or shower
- Toilets gurgling or bubbling when other fixtures drain
- Water coming out of the outdoor cleanout cap
- Sewage odor in the yard near the line
How we handle it
- Find the cleanoutMost Upstate homes have one in the yard or along the foundation. If yours does not, we can install one.
- Clear the mainA large cutting head clears roots, wipes and grease from the line to the city tap or septic tank.
- Camera the lineA camera shows whether a root intrusion, a belly or a broken section caused the clog.
- Recommend the fixMaintenance cleaning, a spot repair, or a full replacement, with the video to back it up.
What main sewer line clog usually costs around Greenville
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Main line clearing from an existing cleanout | $265 to $545 |
| Clearing plus camera inspection | $415 to $765 |
| New outdoor cleanout installed | $685 to $1,490 |
Ranges reflect common jobs in Greenville and nearby towns. Access, materials and the hour of the call change the final number, and you get an exact price before work starts. Compare prices across all services.
What you can do before we arrive
Stop running water and do not flush. If you can find the outdoor cleanout, loosening its cap slowly (stand back) can let the backed-up water drain outside instead of into the house.
What we see in Upstate homes
Tree roots are the most common cause of main line clogs we see around Greenville, especially on lots with mature oaks and willow oaks near clay sewer laterals. In homes on septic, which are common past the city limits and around Belton, a main line backup can also mean the tank or the outlet baffle needs attention.
Keeping it from coming back
Keep wipes, paper towels and grease out of the drains, and if roots have been cut from your line before, schedule clearing every year or two until the damaged section is repaired.
Questions about main sewer line clog
Is a main line clog my responsibility or the city's?
The lateral from your house to the public main is usually the owner's. If the backup is in the public sewer, the utility handles it. A camera helps show where the problem is.
Why does my tub fill when I flush the toilet?
The tub drain is the lowest opening on the system, so when the main is blocked, wastewater backs up there first.
Can roots be removed for good?
Cutting clears them, but they grow back through cracked joints. A lining or replacement of that section is the lasting fix.
Areas we cover for main sewer line clog
Plumbcraft sends main sewer line clog crews from Greenville and Belton across the Upstate.